Theme: Teaching Listening to a level Learners

Article for Midterm
Theme: Teaching Listening to A Level Learners
Abstract
Teaching listening to A Level learners can be challenging as it requires a range of skills and strategies to develop students' listening comprehension. This article explores the importance of teaching listening in the A Level classroom and provides practical strategies for teachers to use when teaching listening to their students. The article highlights the role of motivation, context, and interaction in listening comprehension and discusses the use of pre-, during-, and post-listening activities to enhance students' listening skills. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for teachers to adopt a learner-centred approach when teaching listening to A Level learners.
Keywords
Teaching, Listening, A Level, Comprehension, Strategies, Learner-centred approach
Introduction
Listening is a crucial component of language learning, and it is essential to develop students' listening skills from an early stage. In the A Level classroom, teaching listening is particularly challenging, as students are required to comprehend complex listening materials in the target language. Therefore, it is essential for teachers to use a range of strategies and activities to support students' listening comprehension. This article aims to provide practical guidance to A Level teachers on how to teach listening effectively.
Body
Motivation
Motivation is a critical factor in developing students' listening skills. Teachers need to create a positive learning environment that encourages students to engage with listening materials. This can be achieved by choosing listening to materials that are relevant and interesting to students' lives, such as podcasts, news articles, or documentaries. Teachers can also incorporate fun and interactive listening activities, such as games, role plays, or debates, to motivate students to listen actively.

Context
Context is another important aspect of teaching listening. Students need to understand the context of the listening materials to comprehend them effectively. Teachers can provide students with background information about the topic, such as introducing key vocabulary, cultural references, or historical events. This will enable students to make connections between what they already know, and the new information presented in the listening materials.
Interaction
Interaction is a crucial component of developing students' listening skills. Teachers need to create opportunities for students to interact with the listening materials and with each other. Pre-listening activities, such as brainstorming, predicting, or generating questions, can activate students' prior knowledge and help them focus on the listening materials. During-listening activities, such as note-taking, summarizing, or answering comprehension questions, can enhance students' understanding of the listening materials. Post-listening activities, such as discussions, debates, or writing tasks, can encourage students to reflect on what they have learned and apply it to real-life situations.
Conclusion
Teaching listening to A Level learners can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By adopting a learner-centred approach, teachers can create a positive learning environment that motivates students to engage with listening materials. The use of pre-, during-, and post-listening activities, together with a focus on context and interaction, can help students develop their listening skills effectively. It is important for teachers to keep in mind that every student has their unique learning style, and they should tailor their teaching approach to meet the needs of individual learners.
References

• 
  Anderson, A., & Lynch, T. (1988). Listening. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  
• 
  Brown, G., & Yule, G. (1983). Teaching the spoken language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  
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  Flowerdew, J., & Miller, L. (1995). Second language listening: Theory and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.